Computerized apparatus for identifying industries for potential transfer of a job function

ABSTRACT

Methods for identifying industries for potential transfer of a job function capability involve the use of a database that correlates, for a job function in a first industry, the first industry with a set of second industries with respect to which a job function capability of the job function is potentially transferable. The database can be accessed to identify the second set of industries. A symbolic representation of a job transfer between the first industry and a second industry or a symbolic representation that categorizes a subject of a user&#39;s job transferability query may be used to access the database.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and therefore claims priorityfrom, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/882,292 filed Jun. 15, 2001,which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/211,823filed Jun. 15, 2000 and also claims the benefit of provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/242,043 filed Oct. 20, 2000; these relatedapplications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to systems and methods for analyzing jobfunctions across different industries, particularly for identifyingemployment options for individuals and for identifying appropriatelyqualified job candidate populations for employers.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known in the prior art to provide postings of available jobs in awide range of categories, and it is similarly known in the prior art toprovide postings of resumes of individuals seeking jobs. Such resume andjob postings may be searched using software, such as the search enginesavailable (at the time of filing) from the websites careerbuilder.com,hotjobs.com and monster.com.

Increasingly, firms that offer resume and job postings also providecareer, job search, and recruiting counseling. In addition to theirprimary focus of providing resume and job postings, these firms provideaccess to: third party databases of company and recruiter information;advice on resume writing and distribution; general job search and careercounseling for individuals; and other resources related to careers,executive searches, and recruiting. Examples of websites providing suchservices include (at the time of filing) headhunter.net, hotjobs.com,and monster.com.

Individuals looking for jobs, and employers looking for employees, mayalso use the services of recruiters. For example, executive recruitersoften target an employer's direct competitors, when searching forcandidates on the employer's behalf. Executive search and recruitingfirms have developed sophisticated software, such as Korn Ferry'sFutureStep.

Database software is also available to assist job seekers, recruiters,and employers in managing and storing information on contacts. Suchsoftware may be based, for example, on “Goldmine,” “Act!” or Microsoft“Access” software. These systems use filtering and keyword searchcapabilities to manage contact information.

Company and recruiter databases (such as Hoover's “Company Database,”and Kennedy Publications' “Directory of Executive Search Firms” and itsCD-ROM SearchSelect) are also available, that enable generating lists,mail-merge files, and information on enterprises and recruiters forusers to contact.

Employers may also retain outplacement firms to counsel, andlogistically support, released employees in transitioning between jobs;and job seekers may retain career counselors to advise on changing jobsor careers.

Standardized tests, such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and theJohnson O'Connor aptitude tests, are also used for better matchingindividuals with jobs, corporate cultures, and careers. Such tests aredesigned to identify individuals' innate skills, aptitudes,psychological and personality traits, personal values, and interests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a computerized method of recommending industries fora job seeker's job search comprises:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over acommunications network, related to the job seeker's present job functionand industry;

in a second digital computer process, using the job function input toaccess an industry correlation data structure, stored on a digitalstorage medium, that correlates, for the job function, a first industrywith a set of second industries with respect to which a job functioncapability of the job function is potentially transferable;

in a third digital computer process, determining a set of recommendedindustries for the job seeker's job search by consulting the industrycorrelation data structure using the industry input; and

in a fourth digital computer process, communicating an identification ofthe set of recommended industries to the user over the communicationsnetwork.

In a further embodiment, a computerized method of recommendingindustries in which an employer may find a population of potentialemployees comprises:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over acommunications network, related to the employer's industry and to a jobfunction of interest to the employer;

in a second digital computer process, using the job function input toaccess an industry correlation data structure, stored on a digitalstorage medium, that correlates, for the job function, a first industrywith a set of second industries with respect to which a job functioncapability of the job function is potentially transferable;

in a third digital computer process, determining a set of recommendedindustries in which the employer may find a population of qualifiedpotential employees; and

in a fourth digital computer process, communicating an identification ofthe set of recommended industries to the user over the communicationsnetwork.

In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a computerizedmethod of identifying industries for potential transfer of a jobfunction capability with respect to a first industry. The method of thisembodiment includes:

in a first digital computer process, identifying a job function in thefirst industry; and

in a second digital computer process, accessing a database stored on adigital storage medium, that correlates, for the job function, the firstindustry with a set of second industries with respect to which the jobfunction capability is potentially transferable; and

in a third digital computer process, using the database to identify thesecond industries.

In further related embodiments, using the database to identify thesecond industries comprises identifying industries into or out of whicha job function capability is potentially transferable. In theseembodiments, the database may quantify the degree of transferabilitybetween the first industry and each industry of the set of secondindustries. Additionally, the database may be associated with acommunications network; for example, the database may be associated witha web server on the World Wide Web.

The related embodiments may also include, in a fourth digital computerprocess, identifying an enterprise, within at least one of the secondindustries; in one embodiment, the enterprise potentially has anemployment opportunity with respect to an equivalent job function.Additionally, the related embodiments may include, in a fifth digitalcomputer process, providing a user with a transferability rating; or, ina sixth digital computer process, an explanation of degree oftransferability; for a transfer between the first industry and anindustry of the set of second industries.

Furthermore, the related embodiments may include, in a seventh digitalcomputer process, providing a user with a direct link, over acommunications network, to a job posting source or resume posting source(such as a website). The link may be keyed to a destination job postingsource based on a user's input concerning a job seeker, or to adestination resume posting source based on a user's input concerning aposition to be filled.

The methods may also include receiving input from a user over acommunications network (which may be the Internet) and identifying a jobfunction based on such input. A transferability rating, or explanationof degree of transferability, for a transfer between the first industryand an industry of the set of second industries, may be communicated tothe user over the communications network.

Furthermore, the related embodiments may include communicating a list ofthe second industries to the user over a communications network; thenetwork may be the Internet, and the list may be limited according topreferences provided by the user. The preferences may include a desiredskill set. The user may also be provided with further information on atleast one of the second industries over the communications network.Also, a list of at least one enterprise (which may potentially have anemployment opportunity with respect to an equivalent job function)within at least one of the second industries may be communicated to theuser over the communications network (which again may be the Internet).Further information on an enterprise from the list of at least oneenterprise may also be communicated.

Finally, the related embodiments may include providing the user withinformation on an employment contact at an enterprise from the list ofat least one enterprise; or providing the user, over the communicationsnetwork, with contact information for a recruiter, who may specialize inrecruiting for an industry of the set of second industries, orrecruiting for the job function. The information on an employmentcontact may be provided over the communications network. The list of atleast one enterprise may also be restricted based upon size of companywith which a job seeker has experience.

In a further embodiment, a method for maintaining a database on adigital storage medium, for use in identifying employment options,comprises:

providing a database, on a digital storage medium, for a job function ina first industry, that correlates the first industry with a set ofsecond industries with respect to which a job function capability of thejob function is potentially transferable; and

in a digital computer process, updating the database's correlation ofindustries based upon feedback information provided by users who haveused industry correlation information from the database.

In further related embodiments, updating the database's correlation maybe performed using a preference analysis technique such as collaborativefiltering, or using a preference matrix. In the latter case, the rowsand columns of the preference matrix may correspond to rows and columnsin an industry transferability data structure.

In another embodiment, a method of recommending industries for a jobseeker's job search comprises:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over acommunications network, related to the job seeker's educationalbackground;

in a second digital computer process, determining a set of recommendedindustries for the job seeker's job search by consulting a datastructure correlating educational background with a set of industries,using the educational background input; and

in a third digital computer process, communicating an identification ofthe set of recommended industries to the user over the communicationsnetwork. In further related embodiments, the educational backgroundinput comprises a major subject area of study, a class taken, or adegree or certification obtained by the job seeker. Another furtherrelated embodiment comprises consulting a plurality of data structures,each data structure correlating, for a given job function, educationalbackground with a set of industries.

In another embodiment, a method of recommending educational backgroundsfrom which an employer may find a population of potential employeescomprises:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over acommunications network, related to the employer's industry and to a jobfunction of interest to the employer;

in a second digital computer process, determining a set of educationalbackgrounds from which the employer may find a population of qualifiedpotential employees, by accessing a data structure correlating theemployer's industry with a set of educational backgrounds using the jobfunction and industry input; and

in a third digital computer process, communicating an identification ofthe set of educational backgrounds to the user over the communicationsnetwork. In further related embodiments the set of educationalbackgrounds comprises a set of major subject areas of study, a set ofclasses taken, or a set of degrees or certifications obtained. The usermay also be provided, in a fourth digital computer process, with a listof educational institutions providing educational backgrounds of the setof educational backgrounds.

In a further embodiment, a method of identifying industries forpotential transfer of a job function capability with respect to a firstindustry comprises:

a. in a first digital computer process, identifying a job function inthe first industry; and

b. in a second digital computer process, using a symbolic representationof a job transfer between the first industry and a second industry, of aset of second industries with respect to which the job functioncapability is potentially transferable, to access a database on adigital storage medium that correlates, for the job function, the firstindustry with the set of second industries.

In further related embodiments, the symbolic representation comprises ajob function symbol, an industry symbol, or a transfer operator. Usingthe symbolic representation may comprise accessing a transferabilityrating or text of an explanation of degree of transferability for atransfer between the first industry and the second industry. Thesymbolic representation may be used as an input language for a query tothe database; and may be automatically generated based upon inputprovided by a user.

In a further embodiment, a method of identifying industries forpotential transfer of a job function capability with respect to a firstindustry comprises:

-   -   a. in a first digital computer process, identifying a job        function in the first industry; and    -   b. in a second digital computer process, using a symbolic        representation that categorizes a subject of a user's job        transferability query to access a database on a digital storage        medium, that correlates, for the job function, the first        industry with a set of second industries with respect to which        the job function capability is potentially transferable.

In further related embodiments, the subject is a job seeker, or thetarget population of an employer's search for potential employees. Thesymbolic representation may comprise a job function symbol, an industrysymbol, an educational background symbol, a geographical locationsymbol, a company size symbol, or a hierarchical position symbol. Thesubject may be represented using symbols representing experience in morethan one industry. Using the symbolic representation may compriseaccessing a row of transferability ratings from a transferabilitymatrix, or text of explanations of degree of transferabilitycorresponding to a row of a transferability matrix. The symbolicrepresentation may be used as an input language for a query to thedatabase; and may be automatically generated based upon input providedby a user. The symbolic representation may also be used as an element insymbolically representing a job transfer between the first industry andthe second industry.

In another embodiment, a method of recommending industries in which anemployer may find a population of potential employees comprises:

in a first digital computer process, receiving input from a user, over acommunications network, related to a desired skill set of interest tothe employer;

in a second digital computer process, using the desired skill set inputto access a data structure that correlates skill sets with industries;

in a third digital computer process, determining a set of recommendedindustries in which the employer may find a population of qualifiedpotential employees by consulting the correlating data structure usingthe desired skill set input; and

in a fourth digital computer process, communicating an identification ofthe set of recommended industries to the user over the communicationsnetwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily understoodby reference to the following detailed description, taken with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 (encompassing sub-part FIGS. 1-1 through 1-6) is a diagrammaticrepresentation of an industry correlation data structure in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention providing a database thatcorrelates, for a particular job function (here, marketing management)each of a first set of industries with other industries with respect towhich a job function capability is potentially transferable as to suchjob function;

FIGS. 2A (encompassing sub-part FIGS. 2A-1 through 2A-9) and 2B(encompassing sub-part FIGS. 2B-1 through 2B-9) are diagrammaticrepresentations of data structures, similar to that of FIG. 1, whereinthe degree of transferability across industries has been quantified, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2C (encompassing sub-part FIGS. 2C-1 through 2C-3) illustrates adata structure wherein the degree of transferability of one job functionin one industry has been quantified across different industries, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a method ofidentifying industries for potential transfer of a job functioncapability in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment, similar to that of FIG. 3,which is implemented using a computer system;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an embodiment wherein a user's computer (or othernetwork appliance) is in communication over the Internet with a serverthat provides information to the user's computer (or other networkappliance) in response to a query from the user;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment, similar to that of FIG. 4,which is implemented using the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7-8 are block diagrams summarizing a process, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention, for identifying industries andenterprises to which a job seeker's job function capabilities arepotentially transferable;

FIGS. 9-10 are block diagrams summarizing a process in accordance withan embodiment of the invention, for identifying industries andenterprises from which potential employees' job function capabilitiesare potentially transferable; and

FIGS. 11A (encompassing sub-part FIGS. 11A-1 through 11A-9) and 11B(encompassing sub-part FIGS. 11B-1 through 11B-9) are diagrammaticrepresentations of industry transferability data structures inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention that uses a symbolicrepresentation of industry transfers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Definitions

As used in this description and the accompanying claims, the followingterms shall have the meanings indicated, unless the context otherwiserequires:

An “enterprise” is a commercial, non-profit, governmental, or volunteerorganization.

The “sector” of an enterprise is an economic category of the enterpriseand is one of commercial, non-profit, governmental, or volunteer.

The “industry” of an enterprise is an activity carried out by theenterprise as part of its mission and for which the enterprise exists.In the case of a commercial enterprise, the “industry” of an enterpriseis a line of business carried out by the enterprise, such as may beidentified by a standard industry classification.

A “job function” associated with an enterprise of a given industry is afunction carried out by one or more individuals associated with theenterprise of the given industry in furtherance of a mission of theenterprise.

A “job function capability” of an individual is a capability of theindividual to perform a job function in a given industry. An individualmay gain such a capability, for example, from experience in performing aparticular job function.

A “skill set” is the set of competencies required of an individual toperform a job function.

A “variable” is a characteristic or condition of an industry or market,familiarity with which is an important factor in competent performanceof a job function in that industry or market.

The “job level” of an individual in a job function in an enterprise isthe position occupied by the individual in any hierarchy established forcarrying out the job function in the enterprise.

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides anautomated system for recommending employment options, based onfunctional similarities between jobs performed in different industries.Job seekers can use the automated system to discover employment optionsin industries outside their own, and employers can use the automatedsystem to discover sources of qualified potential employees inindustries outside their own. The system can automatically provide notonly industries, but also specific enterprises within industries, tobroaden a user's options. Such a system is particularly useful forautomating the initial stages of a job search tailored to a subject'sbackground; and for automating, for an employer, the initial stages ofan executive search.

One step in the operation of such an automated system is to identify,for a job function capability of a job function performed in a firstindustry, a set of corresponding industries with respect to which thejob function capability is similar, and therefore potentiallytransferable. Thus, for example, for the marketing management jobfunction in the Consumer Financial Services industry, an automatedsystem in accordance with embodiments of the invention can provide acorresponding set of industries (such as the Hospitality, WirelessTelecommunications, Long Distance Telecommunications, Travel andTransportation, Media and Publishing, Retail, and Business-to-BusinessServices industries) with respect to which a job function capability ofthe marketing management job function (or the corresponding equivalentjob function in each industry) is potentially transferable.

Another step in the operation of such an automated system is to providea database correlating the first industry with the set of secondindustries with respect to which the job function capability ispotentially transferable; and to use the database to identify the secondindustries. Thus, using the example of the previous paragraph, adatabase is provided that correlates the Consumer Financial Servicesindustry with the corresponding industries (such as Hospitality,Wireless Telecommunications, Long Distance Telecommunications, Traveland Transportation, Media and Publishing, Retail, andBusiness-to-Business Services); and then the database is used toidentify the corresponding industries to a user.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an industry correlation datastructure in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionproviding a database that correlates, for a particular job function(here, marketing management) each of a first set of industries withother industries. The industries listed as row headings and columnheadings have been analyzed in the context of the job function ofmarketing management. For each first industry listed as a row heading onthe left of the figure, an “X” or a blank has been placed in each boxwhere that row intersects with a column corresponding to a secondindustry, listed as a column heading at the top of the figure. An “X” isplaced in a box when the marketing management job function uses a skillset, and works with variables, in the row industry in a way that enablesa subject's job function capability to be transferred to the columnindustry. The box is left blank when the potential for such a transferis not present.

One possible use of the data structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is toidentify industries to which a job seeker may transfer his or her jobfunction capabilities. Thus, for example, a marketing manager in theTravel and Transportation industry who is looking for a new job can usethe data structure to find industries, other than the Travel andTransportation industry, to which his or her job function capabilitiesare transferable. In such a case, when moving across the rowcorresponding to the industry in which the job seeker has experience,each industry listed in a column marked with an “X” is an industry towhich the job seeker's job function capabilities are transferable. Byenabling the provision of a list of such industries, the data structureof the embodiment of FIG. 1 greatly expands the options available to jobseekers, who might otherwise not be aware that their skills aretransferable to other industries.

Another possible use of the data structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1is to identify industries from which an employer may recruit potentialemployees. Thus, for example, a company in the Travel and Transportationindustry that wishes to hire a marketing manager can use the datastructure to find industries, other than the Travel and Transportationindustry, from which to recruit marketing managers to fill the job. Inthis case, the data structure functions in the reverse fashion from thatpreviously described for job seekers. That is, moving down the columncorresponding to the employer's industry, each industry listed in a rowmarked with an “X” is an industry from which the employer may recruitpotential employees. The data structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1 thusalso expands the options available to employers, who might otherwise notbe aware of industries outside their own from which to recruit potentialemployees.

The data structure of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is not necessarilysymmetric, because job function capabilities are not necessarilytransferable in a symmetric fashion. For example, in FIG. 1, a marketingmanager in the consumer package goods industry is indicated as beingable to transfer to the pharmaceuticals industry. However, the reverseis not indicated: a marketing manager in the pharmaceuticals industry isnot indicated as being able to transfer to the consumer package goodsindustry. Such an asymmetry may occur when a job function capability inone industry involves skills that are widely generalizable to otherindustries in which the same job function capability involves morespecific expertise. This potential asymmetry should be noted for theembodiment of FIG. 1: moving across the rows indicates industries towhich a transfer is possible, out of the industry indicated in the rowheading; moving down the columns indicates industries from which atransfer is possible, into the industry indicated in the column heading.A common feature of both of these uses of the data structure of theembodiment of FIG. 1 is that in both cases, industries are identifiedfor potential transfer of a job function capability with respect to afirst industry.

It should be understood that, while the data structure of the embodimentof FIG. 1 has been discussed in terms of job seekers and employers, theinvention is not limited to such applications, but is instead applicableto a wide range of situations in which an understanding ofcross-industry transfer of job function capabilities is desirable. Forexample, students may use the data structure when considering theramifications of career choices; and recruiters may use the datastructure to identify avenues of candidate development.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the industries onthe axes of a data structure such as that of FIGS. 1, 2A-2B, and 11A-11B(below) may comprise a subset of (or all of) the industries provided bya standard industry classification system. For example, the industriesmay be a subset of the industries categorized in the North AmericanIndustry Classification System (NAICS), available at the time of filingfrom the National Technical Information Service of the U.S. Departmentof Commerce, at the website:

http://www.ntis.gov/product/naics.htm.

The embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrammatic representations ofdata structures, similar to that of FIG. 1, wherein the degree oftransferability across industries has been correlated and quantified. Inthis case, in lieu of an “X”, there is utilized a numeric indicator toshow the degree of transfer potential. Hence “3” indicates the greatesttransfer potential, “2” indicates moderate transfer potential, “1”indicates slight transfer potential, and “0” indicates no transferpotential. The data structures of the embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2Benable more nuanced recommendations. For example, in FIG. 2A, a jobseeker may be advised of industries to which his or her job functioncapabilities have a greater or lesser ability to be transferred. A widevariety of quantification schemes may be used in accordance withembodiments of the invention, including a binary scheme.

FIG. 2C illustrates a data structure wherein the degree oftransferability of one job function in one industry (here, the marketingmanagement job function in the consumer package goods industry) has beenquantified across different industries, in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. In one embodiment, the data structure of FIG. 2C isused to present, to a user, output of identified industries forpotential transfer of a job function capability with respect to a firstindustry (here, the consumer package goods industry).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a method ofidentifying industries for potential transfer of a job functioncapability with respect to a first industry, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. In box 31 the method involves identifying ajob function in the first industry. In box 32 the method involvesproviding a database correlating, for the job function, the firstindustry with a set of second industries with respect to which the jobfunction capability is potentially transferable. In box 33, the methodinvolves using the database to identify the second industries.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment, similar to that of FIG. 3,which is implemented using a computer system. In box 41 the embodimentinvolves receiving input data identifying a job function in a firstindustry. In box 42, the embodiment involves using the input data toaccess a database, on a digital storage medium, that correlates, for thejob function, the first industry with a set of second industries withrespect to which a job function capability of the job function ispotentially transferable. In box 43, the method involves retrieving fromthe database identification of the second industries.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an embodiment wherein a user's computer (or othernetwork appliance) 51 is in communication over the Internet 54 with aserver 52. The server 52 provides information from a database 53, withwhich the server is in communication, to the user's computer (or othernetwork appliance) 51 in response to a query from the user. In thisembodiment, the server 52 can be configured to provide information tothe user that is similar to the information accessible in the databaseillustrated in FIG. 1. A process for operating the server of thisembodiment is discussed in connection with FIG. 6 below.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment, similar to that of FIG. 4,which may be implemented using the embodiment of FIG. 5. In box 61 theserver 52 is caused to provide a web page to the user's computer (orother network appliance) 51 of FIG. 5. In box 62, the server receivesinput data from the user's computer (or other network appliance)identifying a job function in a first industry. In box 63, the inputdata is used to access a database, on a digital storage medium, thatcorrelates, for the job function, the first industry with a set ofsecond industries with respect to which a job function capability of thejob function is potentially transferable. In box 64, there is retrievedfrom the database identification of the second industries. In box 65,the server provides a web page for the user's computer (or other networkappliance) displaying these second industries.

FIGS. 7-8 are block diagrams summarizing a process, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention, for identifying industries andenterprises to which a job seeker's job function capabilities arepotentially transferable. Such a process flow may be implemented by aserver with which a user's computer (or other network appliance)communicates over a communications network (such as the Internet), in asimilar fashion to that of the embodiment of FIG. 5. For example, theprocess flow may be implemented by a web server on the World Wide Web.

In step 71 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (which corresponds to steps1-3 of the embodiment of Appendix A and Screens 1-3 of the embodiment ofAppendix C), a system that implements the process flow welcomes theuser. The user need not be the job seeker himself or herself, but mayalso be anyone having information relating to a job seeker. The systemsummarizes the process flow for the user, and provides an illustrationor tutorial to show how the user interacts with the system. Next, instep 72 (corresponding to Step 4 of the embodiment of Appendix A andScreen 4 of the embodiment of Appendix C), the user registers byentering contact information—for example, the user's name, address,telephone number, and e-mail address. The user also enters initialpayment information such as credit card information.

Next, in step 73 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding to steps5-6 of the embodiment of Appendix A and Screens 5-12 of the embodimentof Appendix C), the system requests information from the user related tothe job seeker's prior job functions. The user may supply only the jobseeker's job function at a current or most recent job; or may supply thejob seeker's job function at more than one previous job. For each jobfunction, the system may be structured to elicit from the user, forexample: the job function type; the hierarchical level at which the jobseeker performed the function; the number of years that the job seekerperformed the function; reporting relationships for the job seeker, inthe job function; the name of the company at which the job seekerworked; the name of the division; the enterprise type; the industrytype; the company size (in revenue or sales); and the company location.

In step 74 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding to step 7 ofthe embodiment of Appendix A and Screens 13-15 of the embodiment ofAppendix C), the system presents the user with screens that elicit thejob seeker's preferences with respect to desired job functions,hierarchical levels, and industries for potential transfer. Thesepreferences are ultimately used to narrow the list of enterprises thatis provided to the user for potential transfer; and to identifyappropriate employment contacts at the list of enterprises that isprovided. Before narrowing by preferences, the list is otherwise basedon transferability across industries for a given job function, as willbe seen below.

Next, in step 75 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding to steps8-11 of the embodiment of Appendix A and Screens 16-18 of the embodimentof Appendix C), the system processes the user's input to identifysystematically industries to which the job seeker's job functioncapabilities are potentially transferable. For each job function andindustry specified by the user, the system accesses a client serverdatabase that correlates, with the job function in the industry, otherindustries with respect to which the job seeker's capabilities arepotentially transferable. The system then lists such industries for theuser. In the event that the user specifies more than one job function,the list of industries combines the industries that were retrieved fromthe database using all of the job functions specified. The list ofindustries may be limited by the user's preferences, which were input instep 74. The user may also be enabled to access an explanation of degreeof transferability to each of the listed industries; such explanationsare particularly useful, for example, for inclusion in a job seeker'scover letter to potential employers in the listed industries.

In order to generate the list of industries for each job function, thesystem may consult a client server database containing data structuressimilar to those of the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2A-2B and 11A-11B(below). Such a data structure is accessible for each job function. Forexample, the data structure of FIG. 1 corresponds to the MarketingManagement job function, but a different data structure may be needed todetermine transferability of job function capabilities for a differentjob function. Each data structure need not have the same industries onits axes; data structures may instead be configured such that onlyrelevant industries are present in the data structure corresponding toeach job function.

In one embodiment, the system provides different industrytransferability data structures for a single job function, depending onthe size of the company in which the job seeker performed the jobfunction.

Once the system has provided the user with a list of industries forpotential transfer, it saves the list in a digital storage mediumassociated with the client server database, such that the list isretrievable using a unique identifier established for each user. Thesystem also gives the user the opportunity to save the list in a digitalstorage medium associated with the user's own computer (or other networkappliance).

In step 76 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding to steps 12-13of the embodiment of Appendix A), the system next gives the user theoption of researching any of the listed industries in which he or she ismost interested; and of selecting them for subsequent output. In oneembodiment, the system allows the user to research the listed industriesbefore selecting them (for example by clicking on an HTML link from theindustry name). In this case, the system is linked to a databasecontaining information on each industry; the database may be thesystem's own client server database, or a third party database. Theindustry information may be, for example, industry profiles, or a listof leading companies in the industry. The system allows the user to moveback and forth between the industry information and the selection list,until finished with the research and selection process.

Next, in step 81 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding to steps14-16 of the embodiment of Appendix A and Screen 19 of the embodiment ofAppendix C), the system provides the user with a list of enterpriseswithin the selected industries, organized by industry as shown in Screen19 of Appendix C. The system automatically saves the list of enterprisesin a digital storage medium, associated with a unique identifier foreach user. In one embodiment, the enterprises may be stored associatedwith the relevant job functions and industries. The user is also giventhe option of saving the list of enterprises to the user's own digitalstorage medium.

In one embodiment, the list of enterprises is restricted based uponcharacteristics of the companies at which the job seeker has worked,such as size of company, or whether the company is public or private;these characteristics were entered by the user in step 73, describedabove. In such an embodiment, the system processes the user's input fromstep 73 to determine the size (or other characteristic) of the companiesat which the job seeker has worked. Each enterprise of the potentialenterprises for recommending to the user is associated, in the database,with a size restriction parameter, which varies with the enterprise'ssize. Depending on the range of size of the companies entered in step 73(as given, for example, by revenues or sales), the list of enterprisesoutput can then be restricted to those companies that are associatedwith a size restriction parameter within given ranges. Thus, forexample, there may be two size restriction parameter ranges(corresponding to “small” and “large” companies). A job seeker havingexperience in companies of varying size (i.e. companies that are bothabove and below a given revenue level) may be recommended enterprisesfrom both the small and large company parameter ranges; whereas a jobseeker having experience only in companies that are either below orabove the given revenue level may be recommended enterprises from onlythe small or large company parameter range (respectively). Those ofskill in the art will appreciate that other translation schemes may beused between the job seeker's company size experience, and the size ofenterprises listed as recommendations.

The system next gives the user the option of sorting the list ofenterprises, in step 82 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding tosteps 17-22 of the embodiment of Appendix A and Screens 20-21 of theembodiment of Appendix C). The list may be sorted, for example, bygeographical location, enterprise type, or by industry rank in awell-known industry ranking scale such as the Fortune 500, Fortune 1000,INC. 500, Top Twenty, or Most Admired ranking scales. The system storesthe sorted lists of enterprises in an associated database; in thedatabase, each list is associated with a unique identifier for the user.The user is also given the option of saving the sorted lists to theuser's own digital storage medium.

Next, the user is given the option of including the sorted and listedcompanies in a mail-merge file, complete with full mailing addresses.The user is also given the option of researching the listed enterprisesbefore including them in the mail-merge file. For example, the user maybe enabled to research company profiles, SEC filings, recent news, stockperformance, annual reports, and other information on the listedenterprises. In one embodiment, the user accesses a database containingsuch information by selecting an enterprise from the list. The databasemay be one that is owned by parties, other than those who administer thesystem, who specialize in providing in-depth research on enterprises; orit may be the client server database itself. The system enables the userto select enterprises from the list for inclusion in a final list ofenterprises that are of interest. It also enables the user to move backand forth between the list of enterprises (with selected enterprisesmarked) and the information obtained by researching in the database,until the user indicates that he or she has completed the research andselection process. The user is then given a list of selected enterprisescomplete with mailing addresses in a mail-merge format. The list may beformatted, for example, in the manner shown in Screen 21 of Appendix C.

Next, in step 83 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding to steps23-33 of the embodiment of Appendix A and Screens 22-23 of theembodiment of Appendix C), the system gives the user the option ofretrieving a list of enterprise-specific job postings. These may beretrieved, for example, from company and recruiter websites, or from jobposting boards. In one embodiment, the system uses a search engine tosearch the Internet using key word search techniques, or other filteringtechniques. In another embodiment, the system is linked to entities thatprovide listings of employment opportunities, such as electronic jobboards. In this embodiment, the system initiates a search of theemployment opportunities listed with such entities, and provides alisting of posted employment opportunities at each of the listedenterprises, within the specified job functions. In one alternativeembodiment, the system provides the user with a direct link, over acommunications network, to a job posting source (for example, to awebsite such as hotjobs.com) or a direct link to a job posting source ofone of the listed enterprises (such as a company's website). Such a linkmay be provided, for example, as an HTML link from a listed industry orenterprise. The link may also be keyed directly to a relevant industrysection or specific job posting at a destination job posting source.Such keying may be determined based on the system's listing ofindustries and enterprises, or the user's job seeker input (such asinputs regarding the job seeker's preferences). In another alternativeembodiment, the client server database itself may contain listings ofemployment opportunities available for given job functions withinenterprises, and the system may access these listings in order toprovide the user with a list of enterprise-specific employmentopportunities.

Also in step 83, the user is given the option of obtaining a list ofcontact information that enables the user to send mail directly to thepotential hiring manager at the selected enterprises. In one embodimentthe contact information is the name, title, and address of a functionalhead or corporate officer at the selected enterprise that is most likelyto be in a hierarchical position to make line hiring decisions for theuser's job function and hierarchical level. This information may begleaned from the client server database, or from another database withwhich the system associates.

Next, the system provides the user with a list of the selectedenterprises, together with mailing addresses, enterprise specific jobpostings, and information on contacts at those enterprises. The list maybe formatted, for example, in the manner shown in Screen 23 of AppendixC. The system may also arrange the list of enterprises according to thesorting criteria provided in step 82, above. The system saves the listof enterprises, along with the corresponding contact information andenterprise-specific job postings, in a digital storage medium, anduniquely associates the data with an identifier for each user. The useris also given the opportunity to save the data to the user's own digitalstorage medium.

In step 84 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding to steps 34-36of the embodiment of Appendix A, and Screen 24 of the embodiment ofAppendix C), the user is given the option of purchasing additionalinformation, such as contact information for recruiters.

In step 85 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding to steps 37-39of the embodiment of Appendix A, and Screens 25-26 of Appendix C), theuser is given a final list of enterprises for potential transfer, asdescribed in step 83, as well as a listing of any additional informationthat was purchased in step 84.

Finally, in step 86 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8 (corresponding tosteps 40-42 of the embodiment of Appendix A, and Screens 49-50 ofAppendix C), the system allows the user to give post-process feedback.This feedback may include immediate feedback, such as feedback about thesystem's operation; and longer-term feedback, such as feedback about thesuccess of a user's job transition.

Next we discuss the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10. These figures are blockdiagrams summarizing a process in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, for identifying industries and enterprises from whichpotential employees' job function capabilities are potentiallytransferable. In particular, this embodiment is useful for recommendingindustries and enterprises where an employer may find potentialemployees with particular skill sets and expertise, and from which anemployer may recruit potential employees, based on the similarity ofskill sets utilized, and variables worked with, in job functions indifferent industries.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8, such a process flow may beimplemented by a server with which a user's computer (or other networkappliance) communicates over a communications network (such as theInternet), in a similar fashion to that of the embodiment of FIG. 5. Forexample, the process flow may be implemented by a web server on theWorld Wide Web.

In step 91 and 92 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding tosteps 1-4 of the embodiment of Appendix B, and Screens 1-4 of theembodiment of Appendix C), the system welcomes the user and conducts auser registration and payment process, in a similar fashion to that ofsteps 71-72 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8.

In step 93 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding to step 5 ofthe embodiment of Appendix B, and Screens 27-34 of the embodiment ofAppendix C), the user inputs information on the position that is beingfilled. Among other things, the user inputs the job function and levelof the position that is being filled.

In step 94 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding to step 6 ofthe embodiment of Appendix B, and Screens 35-40 of the embodiment ofAppendix C), the user inputs hiring preferences, by which the system'soutput may be limited. For instance, the user may be interested inhiring from certain geographic areas or industries; or in hiring thosewho have acquired certain skill sets (which may be found only in certainjob functions and/or industries).

In step 95 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding to steps 7-11of the embodiment of Appendix B, and Screens 41-43 of the embodiment ofAppendix C), the system processes the user's input to identifysystematically industries from which potential employees' job functioncapabilities are transferable, into the industry of interest to theuser. For each job function and industry specified by the user, thesystem accesses a client server database that correlates, with the jobfunction in the industry, other industries in which suitable potentialemployees may be found. The system then lists such industries for theuser.

The list of industries may be limited by the user's preferences, whichwere input in step 94. For example, if the user prefers a desired skillset (see Screen 40 of Appendix C), then the list of industries may bereduced such that only those industries remain where such a skill set islikely to be found. In order to be able to limit the industry list basedon a user's skill set preferences, each job function/industrycombination may be associated, in the database, with data signifying thepresence or absence of a given skill set for that job function/industrycombination. In one embodiment, such an association allows use of thedatabase for recommending industries to an employer based directly oninput of a desired skill set, without the need for the user to inputinformation about the employer's industry. In such an embodiment, auser's input of an employer's desired skill set causes the system toimplement a search through the skill set data that is associated withthe job function/industry combinations in the database. A list of thejob function/industry combinations that have the desired skill set isthen provided to the user; alternatively, industries or job functionsalone are listed. In one embodiment, the use of skill set data in thedatabase allows the system to ignore industry inputs when the user doesspecify a desired skill set, and to rely solely on the skill set input.

The user may also be enabled to access an explanation of degree oftransferability from each of the listed industries.

In order to generate the list of industries, the system may consult aclient server database containing data structures similar to those ofthe embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2A-2B, and 11A-11B (below). Such a datastructure is accessible for each job function. For example, the datastructure of FIG. 1 corresponds to the Marketing Management jobfunction, but a different data structure may be needed to showtransferability of job function capabilities for a different jobfunction. Each data structure need not have the same industries on itsaxes; data structures may instead be configured such that only relevantindustries are present in the data structure corresponding to each jobfunction.

In one embodiment, the system provides different industrytransferability data structures for a single job function, depending onthe size of the company in which the position that is being filled isperformed.

Once the system has provided the user with a list of industries in whichpotential employees may be found, it saves the list in a digital storagemedium associated with the client server database, such that the list isretrievable using a unique identifier established for each user. Thesystem also gives the user the opportunity to save the list in a digitalstorage medium associated with the user's own computer (or other networkappliance).

In step 96 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding to step 12 ofthe embodiment of Appendix B), the user is enabled to research andselect the most desirable industry options from those provided in step95.

In step 101 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding to step 13 ofthe embodiment of Appendix B, and Screen 44 of the embodiment ofAppendix C), the user is given the option of sorting the system's outputby various criteria.

In step 102 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding to steps14-18 of the embodiment of Appendix B, and Screen 45 of the embodimentof Appendix C), the user is provided with information on specificenterprises, within the industries and job functions of interest, thatrepresent logical search targets for finding appropriately experiencedjob candidates. In one embodiment, the system also provides the userwith a direct link to a resume posting source (for example, to a websitesuch as hotjobs.com, or a resume posting website for an educationalinstitution). Such a link may be provided, for example, as an HTML linkfrom a listed industry or enterprise. The link may be keyed directly toa relevant industry section or specific resume posting at thedestination resume posting source. Such keying may be determined basedon the system's listing of industries and enterprises, or the user'sinput concerning the position to be filled (such as the preferenceinputs).

In step 103 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding to step 19 ofthe embodiment of Appendix B), the user is given the option of having adialogue with other companies who have hired from industries and jobfunction areas outside their own.

In step 104 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding to steps20-27 of the embodiment of Appendix B, and Screen 46 of the embodimentof Appendix C), the user is given the option of obtainingfunction-specific contacts within the selected industries or companies.

In step 105 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding to steps28-33 of the embodiment of Appendix B, and Screens 47-48 of theembodiment of Appendix C), the user is given the option of purchasingadditional information, such as contact information for recruiters inthe selected industries and job function areas.

Finally, in step 106 of the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 (corresponding tosteps 34-36 of the embodiment of Appendix B, and Screens 49-50 of theembodiment of Appendix C), the user is enabled to provide post-processfeedback, in a similar fashion to that of step 86 of the embodiment ofFIGS. 7-8.

While the described embodiments of FIGS. 7-8 and 9-10 are tailoredtowards identifying businesses to or from which job functioncapabilities are potentially transferable, it should be recognized bythose of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments of the invention arenot limited to identifying business enterprises. Embodiments of theinvention may also be used to identify potential transfers ingovernmental, military, academic, and other fields of endeavor.

In one embodiment according to the invention, analogous methods to thosedescribed herein for identifying industries based on employmentbackground are used to identify industries based on educationalbackground. For example, an employer can use such an embodiment toobtain a recommendation of a set of educational backgrounds (such asclasses taken, major areas of study, or degrees or certificationsobtained) from which the employer may find a population of potentialemployees. In such a case, a data structure may correlate the employer'sindustry with a set of educational backgrounds, for a job function ofinterest to the employer. The employer may also be provided with a listof educational institutions that provide such educational backgrounds.Alternatively, such an embodiment may be used by a job seeker to obtaina set of recommended industries for the job seeker's job search, byconsulting a data structure correlating educational background with aset of industries.

It should also be noted that, while the described embodiments of FIGS.7-8 and 9-10 identify industries and enterprises to or from which jobfunction capabilities are potentially transferable (based on similarityof skill sets and variables across industries), they need notnecessarily also identify enterprises in which specific jobopportunities are actually known to be available.

In addition, while the description of the embodiments of FIGS. 7-8 and9-10 mention instances where the user is asked for payment (or paymentinformation), it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart that differing schemes for payment are also possible in accordancewith embodiments of the invention. For example, users may be enabled touse the system for free, for a single initial fee, or by paying atvarious stages throughout the process.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, identification ofindustries and enterprises for potential transfer is facilitated throughthe use of preference analysis techniques, such as collaborativefiltering. In this embodiment, the initial steps of the embodiments ofFIGS. 7-8 and 9-10 are the same, but the post-process feedback ismodified to provide preference analysis data. The system distributes aratings questionnaire or other preference questionnaire to each systemuser as part of the post-process feedback. The preference questionnaireelicits the user's degree of preference for a decision that they made asa result of the system's transferability recommendation. For example, itmay seek a job seeker's rating of a job they took on a numerical scaleof 1-10, or an employer's 1-10 rating of an employee they hired, basedon transferability recommendations that the system provided. The systemthen receives each user's response to the preference questionnaire,along with other post-process feedback. The preference questionnaire maybe implemented, in one embodiment, as an e-mail message, e-mailattachment, and/or HTML link. In this embodiment, the preferencefeedback can then be received by a computer, such as a web server, as ane-mailed (or otherwise digitally transmitted) reply to the preferencequestionnaire.

Once the preference feedback has been received, this preference-analysisembodiment next comprises the step of analyzing the users' preferencefeedback using preference analysis techniques, such as collaborativefiltering. Collaborative filtering techniques are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,064,980 of Jacobi et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,311 of Chislenkoet al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

In one embodiment, a preference matrix is maintained. The rows andcolumns of the matrix correspond with the industries in atransferability data structure similar to the data structuresillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2A-2B, and 11A-11B (below). At the intersectionof each row and column, the matrix contains an average preferencerating, representing the average preference rating received from a userwho actually acted on the system's transferability recommendation.(Preference data from users should in this case include not just arating, but also an account of the industry to and from which thetransfer occurred). Different preference matrices may be maintained forjob seekers and employers, or a single matrix could incorporate thefeedback of both, in alternative embodiments. Once sufficient preferencefeedback has been collected to produce statistically meaningful results,the preference matrix is next compared with the present version of thetransferability data structure upon which the system is basingrecommendations. If there is a wide discrepancy between correspondingelements of the preference matrix and the transferability datastructure, the latter may be modified in accordance with the former. Inthis fashion, the system's subsequent recommendations will be tailoredto reflect the perceptions, as to its accuracy, of those who have actedon its recommendations in the past. Whether there is a “widediscrepancy” may be determined, for example, by quantifying thetransferability data structure, in a fashion similar to that of FIGS. 2Aand 2B (and on a numerical scale that is normalized to the ratingsscale) and measuring a percentage difference between the average ratingsin the preference matrix and the corresponding elements of thequantified data structure. Those elements having a percentage differencethat exceeds a certain threshold may then be treated as needing to beupdated. It should be noted that embodiments of the invention are notlimited to performing a preference analysis in the particular fashionjust described, but may also perform methods involving collaborativefiltering, or other forms of preference analysis.

Next, further preference feedback may be gained from users of themodified transferability data structure. The post-process preferenceanalysis steps are thus repeated, refining data on users'transferability preferences, and thereby refining future transferabilityrecommendations.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrammatic representations of industrytransferability data structures in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention that uses a symbolic representation of industry transfers. Inthe embodiments of FIGS. 11A and 11B, analogous data structures to thoseof FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B are illustrated, for Marketing Management andOperations Management, respectively. However, the embodiments of FIGS.11A and 11B represent each possible cross-industry transfer of a jobfunction capability using a symbolic representation. Each job functionis represented using a job function symbol; for example, the marketingmanagement job function is represented using “M” in FIG. 11A, while theoperations management job function is represented using “O” in FIG. 11B.Each industry is represented using an industry symbol; for example, thenumbers 1 to 17 in FIGS. 11A and 11B. A transfer from a job function inone industry to a job function in a second industry is represented usinga transfer operator; for example, the “+” symbol in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate use of this symbolic representation: forexample, in FIG. 11A, a transfer from the marketing management jobfunction (M) in the consumer software industry (5) to the marketingmanagement job function (M) in the consumer durables industry (2) isrepresented as M5+M2 in the appropriate row and column. Similarly, inFIG. 11B, one operations management job function transfer is representedas O1+O2. Analogous data structures to those represented in FIGS. 11Aand 11B may be formed for other job functions.

In accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11B, a symbolicrepresentation of each transfer is associated with a transferabilityrating in an industry transferability database; and may also beassociated with text of a corresponding explanation of degree oftransferability. The symbolic representation may thus be used as alanguage for instructing an automated system to retrieve thetransferability rating, and the text of its corresponding explanation.The association of the symbolic representation with the rating, andexplanation text, may be made, for example, by a pointer; or usingobject-oriented programming techniques; as will be appreciated by thoseof ordinary skill in the art. As an example of using a symbolicrepresentation language, input of the symbols M5+M2 may generate therating “1” (as in FIG. 2A), and text of a corresponding explanation,analogous to that of Screen 17 of Appendix C. In one embodiment, a userof an automated system uses such a symbolic representation as an inputlanguage for a query to the database. In another embodiment, the userneed not type in such symbols; instead they are generated automaticallyby a data processor based on user input, and then are used by theprocessor as inputs for a query to the database. For example, uponreceipt of a user's job function and industry input (or othertransferability query), the correct symbolic representation may begenerated automatically and used as a request to a database system forretrieval of a set of output industries (and other associated outputssuch as transferability ratings and explanation texts).

The same symbolic representation of the embodiments of FIGS. 11A and 11Bmay also be used to categorize symbolically a subject of a user'stransferability query. Thus, a subject job seeker with experience in agiven job function and industry is represented using the appropriatesymbols; for example, M1 can be used to represent a job seeker withmarketing management experience in the consumer package goods industry.Similarly, a subject that is the target population of an employer'ssearch for job candidates is also represented using the appropriatesymbols; for example, M5 can be used to represent the target populationof an employer's search for a marketing manager in the consumer softwareindustry. A subject with experience in more than one job function orindustry may be represented using a comma between symbols; thus {M2, M3}represents a marketing manager with experience in both the consumerdurables and entertainment products industries.

Subjects may also be characterized using symbols representing othersystem inputs, including (for example) educational backgrounds,geographical locations, company sizes, hierarchical positions, andpreferences. Thus, for example, the symbolic representation {M1, M5,MBA, MSME, CT, F500, CMO, P-CT, P-PV, P-TECH} could be used to representa marketing manager with experience in the consumer package goods andconsumer software industries, who has an MBA and an MSME degree, who hasworked in Connecticut at a Fortune 500 company, and risen to the ChiefMarketing Officer hierarchical level; and who has preferences for jobsin Connecticut, at private companies, in the technology sector.

In accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11B, such a symbolicrepresentation of the subject of a user's transferability query may beused to cause retrieval of a set of second industries and theirassociated transferability ratings, and transferability explanations.Thus, for example, representation of a subject as an M1 may cause theretrieval of the row of transferability ratings illustrated in FIG. 2C,and of the associated transferability explanations. If a subject isrepresented using symbols that stand for experience in more than oneindustry (for example, {M2, M3}), then ratings corresponding to all ofthe transferable industries may be retrieved and aggregated. Thus, forexample, two rows like that of FIG. 2C may be retrieved, to reflect thegreater number of industry options available to a job seeker with dualindustry experience. In one embodiment, a user of an automated systemuses the symbolic representation as an input language for a query to thedatabase. In another embodiment, the user need not type in such symbols;instead they are generated automatically based on user input, and thenautomatically used as inputs to a query to the database for retrieval ofa row of the transferability matrix. The association of the symbolicrepresentation of a subject with a set of industries, transferabilityratings, and explanations may be formed, for example, by using pointers,or using object-oriented programming techniques, as will be appreciatedby those of ordinary skill in the art.

While the above has described features of some embodiments according tothe invention that may be implemented using the World Wide Web, itshould be recognized that these features may equally be implemented on acommunications network (for example, the Internet) without beingimplemented on the Web. Also, such features may equally be implementedusing wireless devices, or other network appliances. It should also beappreciated that, according to an embodiment of the invention, adatabase need not be centrally located, but may instead be associatedwith a communications network in ways that will be apparent to those ofskill in the art. Additionally, it should be recognized that wherefeatures are described as being implemented using the HTML language,they may also be implemented by other languages, as will be recognizedby those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, embodiments may beimplemented using XML.

Although this description has set forth the invention with reference toseveral preferred embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that one may make various modifications without departingfrom the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computerized apparatus for identifyingindustries for potential transfer of a job function with respect to afirst industry, the apparatus comprising: a server coupled to acommunications network; and a digital storage medium coupled to theserver, wherein the server is configured to run processes including: a.in a first digital computer process, receiving over the communicationsnetwork data identifying the job function in the first industry; b. in asecond digital computer process, accessing a database, stored on thedigital storage medium, containing information, developed for the jobfunction, listing industries to which and from which the job function ispotentially transferable, the information corresponding to markings in asquare matrix, the matrix having a pair of orthogonal axes, and a seriesof positions along each axis, with each position along each axis beingassociated with a different industry in which the job function isperformed, wherein each industry occupies a corresponding position alongeach axis, so that (1) in a row of the matrix corresponding to aselected industry in which an individual has experience are markings ofcolumns of industries to which the experience of the individual ispotentially transferable and (2) in a column of the matrix correspondingto a selected industry in which a company may be seeking candidates aremarkings of rows of industries from which a candidate's experiencetherein may be transferable to the selected industry; wherein thepattern of markings in the matrix is not symmetric; and c. in a thirddigital computer process, using the database to identify at least oneindustry other than the first industry for potential transfer of the jobfunction.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the server is a webserver on the World Wide Web, and wherein the server provides a web pagefor receiving, from a user device, the data identifying the job functionin the first industry.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein usingthe database to identify at least one industry other than the firstindustry for potential transfer of the job function comprises at leastone of: identifying an industry into which a job function capability ofa subject is potentially transferable, out of the first industry; andidentifying an industry out of which a job function capability ispotentially transferable, into the first industry.
 4. Apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the database quantifies degree oftransferability between the first industry and each of the identifiedindustries.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising, in afourth digital computer process, providing over the communicationsnetwork information relating to at least one of: the first industry; atleast one of the identified industries; a transferability rating for atransfer out of the first industry, into an industry of the set ofidentified industries; a transferability rating for a transfer into thefirst industry, out of an industry in the set of identified industries;an explanation of degree of transferability out of the first industry,into an industry of the set of identified industries; an explanation ofdegree of transferability into the first industry, out of an industry ofthe set of identified industries; an enterprise within at least one ofthe industries; a job posting source; a resume posting source; arecruiter specializing in the first industry; a recruiter specializingin one of the identified industries; and a recruiter specializing in thejob function.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, where in theinformation provided over the communications network is limited by atleast one of: preferences associated with a user; a desired skill setassociated with a user; and the size of a company with which a user hasexperience.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the database isaccessed using at least one of: a symbolic representation of a jobtransfer between the first industry and a second industry, of a set ofsecond industries with respect to which the job function capability ispotentially transferable; and a symbolic representation that categorizesa subject of a user's job transferability query.
 8. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising: in a fifth digital computer process,updating the database's correlation of industries based upon feedbackinformation provided over the communications network by users who haveused industry correlation information from the database.
 9. Apparatuscomprising at least one non-transitory computer readable medium encodedwith instructions which, when loaded into a computer, establishprocesses for identifying industries for potential transfer of a jobfunction with respect to a first industry, the processes comprising: a.in a first digital computer process, receiving data identifying the jobfunction in the first industry; b. in a second digital computer process,accessing a database, stored on a digital storage medium, containinginformation, developed for the job function, listing industries to whichand from which the job function is potentially transferable, theinformation corresponding to markings in a square matrix, the matrixhaving a pair of orthogonal axes, and a series of positions along eachaxis, with each position along each axis being associated with adifferent industry in which the job function is performed, wherein eachindustry occupies a corresponding position along each axis, so that (1)in a row of the matrix corresponding to a selected industry in which anindividual has experience are markings of columns of industries to whichthe experience of the individual is potentially transferable and (2) ina column of the matrix corresponding to a selected industry in which acompany may be seeking candidates are markings of rows of industriesfrom which a candidate's experience therein may be transferable to theselected industry; wherein the pattern of markings in the matrix is notsymmetric; and c. in a third digital computer process, using thedatabase to identify at least one industry other than the first industryfor potential transfer of the job function.
 10. Apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein the computer is a web server on the World Wide Web thatprovides a web page for receiving, from a user device, the dataidentifying the job function in the first industry.
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein using the database to identify at leastone industry other than the first industry for potential transfer of thejob function comprises at least one of: identifying an industry intowhich a job function capability of a subject is potentiallytransferable, out of the first industry; and identifying an industry outof which a job function capability is potentially transferable, into thefirst industry.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thedatabase quantifies degree of transferability between the first industryand each of the identified industries.
 13. Apparatus according to claim11, further comprising, in a fourth digital computer process, providingover the communications network information relating to at least one of:the first industry; at least one of the identified industries; atransferability rating for a transfer out of the first industry, into anindustry of the set of identified industries; a transferability ratingfor a transfer into the first industry, out of an industry in the set ofidentified industries; an explanation of degree of transferability outof the first industry, into an industry of the set of identifiedindustries; an explanation of degree of transferability into the firstindustry, out of an industry of the set of identified industries; anenterprise within at least one of the industries; a job posting source;a resume posting source; a recruiter specializing in the first industry;a recruiter specializing in one of the identified industries; and arecruiter specializing in the job function.
 14. Apparatus according toclaim 13, where in the information provided over the communicationsnetwork is limited by at least one of: preferences associated with auser; a desired skill set associated with a user; and the size of acompany with which a user has experience.
 15. Apparatus according toclaim 9, wherein the database is accessed using at least one of: asymbolic representation of a job transfer between the first industry anda second industry, of a set of second industries with respect to whichthe job function capability is potentially transferable; and a symbolicrepresentation that categorizes a subject of a user's jobtransferability query.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 9, furthercomprising: in a fifth digital computer process, updating the database'scorrelation of industries based upon feedback information provided overthe communications network by users who have used industry correlationinformation from the database.